Bronco defender David Zaccagnino dives to break up a pass intended for Scott Eason during the adult flag football Super Bowl at the Anna Maria Island Community Center.

The Bucs win in the Anna Maria Island Community Center adult flag football Super Bowl Aug. 20 was a microcosm of their season. They got off to a slow start, but poured it on in the end, defeating the Broncos 14-12.Early in the game, the Bucs had trouble catching the ball and stopping big plays by the Broncos. After a couple of short passing plays by the Broncos, they broke out a razzle-dazzle play that caught the Buccaneer defense napping.

Quarterback Mike Walter took the snap from Denise Brigg and handed off to Kevin Austin. who, running to his left, drew the Buc defense toward him to stop an apparent running play. But Austin shoveled the ball forward to Robert Cornell, who broke outside and outran everyone down the left sideline to complete a 34-yard touchdown play.

Once again, dropped passes plagued the Buc offense, often giving the ball back to the Broncos. With just under seven minutes left to play in the first half, Cornell took a handoff from Walter, but was sacked by Heidi Johnston on the two-yard line. Undaunted, the Broncos called the exact same play, but this time Cornell eluded Johnston and hit Walter down the left sideline to complete a 48-yard touchdown play and the Broncos a 12-0 lead.

Late in the half, following another stalled Buccaneer drive, the Broncos started to drive again. On third down, Walter threw a wounded duck toward Austin, who made a spectacular diving catch to give the Broncos a first down. On the following play, however, Walter dropped back to pass, and his attempt was tipped in the air. Scott Eason made a diving interception to give the Bucs the ball as the half came to a close.

The Bucs’ defense held the Broncos on its first possession of the second half, giving the offense a chance to get on track. A 7-yard run on first down by Robbie Bennett was followed by a 22-yard Bennett run, giving the Bucs a first down. On the next play, Buc quarterback David Johnston dropped back and threw the ball to the left corner of the end zone. Bronco defender Brent Moss got a hand on the pass, but it deflected to Bennett for a touchdown. Johnston then hit Bennett for the extra point to pull the Bucs to 12-7.

Late in the game and deep in their own territory, the Broncos tried a hand-off, shovel-pass play that resulted in their first touchdown, but this time the Bucs defense was ready for it, and Bobby Gibbons stepped in front of the receiver and intercepted the pass.

On the next play, David Johnston hit Gibbons with a nine-yard touchdown pass giving the Bucs a 13-12 lead. Johnston then hit Bennett for the extra point and a 14-12 lead with a little more than three minutes to play. It essentially ended the game, though there was a little more drama to come.

It appeared Austin had an interception on the Bucs' 5-yard line when the Buc quarterback couldn’t find a receiver. QB Johnston appeared to be taking off up field with Austin charging forward. At the last possible moment, Johnston attempted a throw and Austin was all over him, almost taking the ball out of his hand, but the referee called an illegal rush, thereby negating the play.

The Broncos did get the ball back with 28 seconds to play and advanced to midfield, but time ran out. The Bucs are summer’s adult flag football champions.

Indoor soccer season ends

Mission accomplished for the Anna Maria Island Community Center’s summer indoor soccer league, which gave 60 or so kids a cool place to get in some kicks in preparation for a full fall season of soccer.

Action Kawasaki Yamaha took first place in its division with a 9-1-1 record, while Sparks Steel Art and Anna Maria Oyster Bar tied for second place with identical 3-5-3 records. Ross Built finished with a 2-6-3 record.

Sparks, the only team to defeat Action K-Y, had them on the ropes in their final match Aug. 16. They took a 5-2 lead into the half, thanks to three goals from Ryan Fellowes, two goals from Gavin Sentman and a strong game in goal from Lane Bowers.

The second half saw Sparks fail to cover the back post defensively, allowing Action’s Dylan Joseph to sneak in behind and score four second-half goals on the way to an exciting 8-7 victory.

Joseph finished with six goals, while teammates Javier Solgado and Nico Colacci each notched one goal.

Ryan Fellowes finished with four goals, while Sentman had two and Robbie Fellowes scored one goal in the loss.

The second game of the evening also was an exciting game of two halves. Anna Maria Oyster Bar appeared to be on cruise control, taking a 2-0 first-half lead on goals by Sydney Cornell and Sydney Morrow. The second half saw Ross Built pick up its game, receiving two goals from Sarah Quattromani and one from Andrew Ross. Anna Maria Oyster Bar got another goal from Gillian Cassidy as the game finished in a 3-3 tie.

MHS runners start season

If you like to run or want to build your endurance and stamina for other sports, then cross-country is the ticket.

If you’re a student at Manatee High School interested in becoming a member of the Hurricanes’ cross-country team, come to a practice session. Practices begin at 3 p.m. weekdays at G.T. Bray Park, 51st Street entrance, next to the dog park. The first event will be held Sept. 6, the annual Canes Classic 5K and the season continues with weekly meets through October. Cross-country is both an individual and team sport. All runners help one another to become stronger and faster. And it's a sport to compete in for a lifetime.

Horseshoe news

Jeff Moore and Tom Pechous were the day’s outright champions after being the only team to manage three pool-play wins during horseshoe action on Aug. 21 at the Anna Maria City Hall pits.

Norm Good and Tom Rhodes were the only team to emerge from pool play on Aug. 18 with a 3-0 record and were the outright winners during Wednesday morning horseshoe action.

Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Signups start for Center soccer

The Anna Maria Island Community Center is now accepting registration for its 2010 recreational youth soccer league and a three-day soccer camp to get kids ready to play. Boys and girls must be at least age 4 and no older than 17 by Sept. 1 to participate.

Cost for the three-day soccer camp, which takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25-27, is $30. Cost for the season of soccer for Center members is $75 while non-members pay $105.

League players receive a team jersey and matching socks. Players are responsible for their own black shorts and shin guards.

Games will be played starting at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday with an occasional Saturday match. Tryouts and evaluations in age-divisions begin Aug. 31 and teams will be picked immediately following tryouts.

The Center also is offering an adult coed soccer league, which will see action on Thursday evenings. Tryouts to ensure team equity and team selection will be held Sept. 9.

For more information, contact Tyler Bekkerus or Andy Jonatzke at the Center, 941-778-1908.

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